Telly

Bored with being a famous TV star? Make a record!

"People know that singing is not my bag," says Telly Savalas on the liner notes to this 1974 release, "but if I say, 'Hey, this is how Telly feels about this or that song,' I can't mistakes. I can only make mistakes by pretending to be a great singer".

A classic example of the "famous actor makes a record" genre, Telly uses his ill-begotten allotment of vinyl to thrill us with mediocre versions of "Something", "You and me against the world", "Rubber bands and bits of string", and many (far too many) others. Unfortunately, Telly's classic New York drawl gets drowned out by the music on all but a few of the tracks, making this album practically worthless even to die-hard Kojak fans.

What is an actor doing making a record, you ask? Telly answers this question by modestly saying, "I was asked to make a record". One has to wonder exactly who did the asking, though.

Songs:

AR
(astr348@yahoo.com)
says:
Have all KOJAK episodes,tapes and photos of Telly for sale.
(12-14-2003)

Gregory Saffady
(gregsaffady@webtv.net)
says:
What everyone forgets to mention is that ALL 3 of Telly's LP's went GOLD and he played a command performance for the Queen of England.What other horrible records and their artists can brag about that? I loved Telly, watching KOJAK at our home (in first run and reruns) was (almost a) religous experience especially the first year episodes. Who loed you, Telly...everyone, baby!!!
(11-13-2003)

Brent Hepburn
(bhepburn@att.net)
says:
Telly was part of his age and he also made it what it was. We need more folks like him who actually enjoyed life and replenished it with spirit.

Brent Hepburn
(10-25-2003)

Bart Herman
(bart20910@aol.com)
says:
Back in my college days we had parties where it was required to bring the "worst" album you could find. This was our favorite. 30 yrs later when we meet we break out into song (off key, like Telly of course. The best song is "Rubber Bands and Bits of String". We had a million laughs with this album.While we viewed this as a comedy album we realize that Telly was trying to be good. That's what makes it a hoot. Love you Telly. A buddy of mine ran into Telly at a golf tournament and he told Telly that I had all his albums. Telly replied, "That's a nice boy". I still have his autograph.
(10-08-2003)

Meaghan Wolff
says:
Ok ERD
(09-22-2003)

Angela Mastandrea
(anela9@highstream.net)
says:
I tried to find info on the 1974 yearbook from Sewanhaka High School and came across this site. Strange enough I met (or should I say - saw) him in Manhattan. I was 19 living in the Chelsea section of NY shortly after graduation (Sewanhaka '74). I noticed a movie trailer across the street. The corner business was blocked off with signs. I decided to sneak inside and took the elevator up. After exiting and turning the corner I just about smacked right into him. I just acted to play it "cool" and say hello. He kindly said hello back like he expected to find a stranger there. He was polite and made no mention to me that I was not welcome or tell others to get me out of there. It's great to learn that he graduated from the same high school!
(09-09-2003)

Angela Mastandrea
(anela9@highstream.net)
says:
I tried to find info on the 1974 yearbook from Sewanhaka High School and came across this site. Strange enough I met (or should I say - saw) him in Manhattan. I was 19 living in the Chelsea section of NY shortly after graduation (Sewanhaka '74). I noticed a movie trailer across the street. The corner business was blocked off with signs. I decided to sneak inside and took the elevator up. After exiting and turning the corner I just about smacked right into him. I just acted to play it "cool" and say hello. He kindly said hello back like he expected to find a stranger there. He was polite and made no mention to me that I was not welcome or tell others to get me out of there. It's great to learn that he graduated from the same high school!
(09-09-2003)

Kay Rousseau
(rousseau.kay@flsenate.gov)
says:
For some reason I found myself singing "If" on the way to work this morning and thinking about the version by Telly Savalas. It was my favorite. I haven't heard or thought about it in decades, but now can't get it off my mind. I would love to find a copy of the song somewhere but can't find it on the internet. Regardless, it is a great tribute when someone leaves his mark on this world enough that someone thinks of him long after he is gone. I was just thinking of Telly.
(08-05-2003)

Nicholas Savalas
(nick@savalas.tv)
says:
Thanks for remembering my Uncle Telly, Mr. LaRosa. I see alot of comments about his records in your forum. Come hear it at http://savalas.tv - The Official Savalas Family Internet Presence, home of the Kojak fan club, and Savalas web ring. Hope to see you there, friends.
(08-02-2003)

Jim Cotter
(1look@earthlink.net)
says:
Telly Savalas radiated a vibe of empowerment that was based in a universal truth. He was also an accomplished poker player. The times we live in right now cry out for people like him.
(07-09-2003)

Dion Soriano
(nachthaven@hotmail.com)
says:
Can anyone help me find an original Players Club Card or any picture of it?
(06-11-2003)

jack purvin
(jackpurvin@aol.com)
says:
i met telly savalas by lincoln center, in new york one block from my apartment, we had a cup of java together on 2w.72 st and went had a steak at tad steak house. a great actor and a great humaniatarian
(05-31-2003)

Will
(wslater@redcross.org.uk)
says:
Would love to have this album, I have a 7" of Telly's "If". I could cry everytime I hear it, when that choir of backing singers kick in I just well up. Telly knows he can't sing and doesn't even try, he just talks over the top of the music and even then he still can't keep in time. Beautiful.
(05-15-2003)

rory
(DOSTOYEVSKY@hotmail.com)
says:
i own 4 copies of the record.its' so bad its good.Telly just cuts loose in the chorus of "rubber bands and bits of string".So much emotion,so much feeling,Telly singlehandedly created the emo music movement by making this record.
(04-30-2003)

TELLY RODRIGUEZ
(UNIMASTER77@HOTMAIL.COM)
says:
YES, I GOT HIS NAME. MY MOM GAVE ME THAT BECAUSE SHE ALWAYS SAW THE TV SHOW OF kOJAK. SO FROM THER E I GOT HIS NAME. I WAS LOOKING INFORMATION ABOUT HIM WHEN I FOUND THIS WEB SITE.
(04-29-2003)

Wolf
(robertwood5150@hotmail.com)
says:
Telly was a king! Does anyone know where to find a copy of the old Player's Club tv spot. It's hilarious with Telly saying something like.."have a drink, then 'anuthuh', if you want a different drink have 'anutha', and 'anutha'."

This priceless media relic needs to found, encoded and posted.

Anybody?
(04-17-2003)

Andrew
(drewman118@yahoo.com)
says:
Telly was the man! This is a classic, I think he did a pretty decent job as a singer, because he was just being himself.
(04-11-2003)